Jetevator for missile control



Oct. 12, 1965 L. c. FISHER JETEVATOR FOR MISSILE CONTROL Filed Dec. 10, 1959 I NVENTOR. c. FISHER w. Nd:

United States Patent JETEVATGR FOR MISSILE CONTROL Lyman C. Fisher, Silver Spring, Md., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Dec. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 858,828 7 Claims. (Cl. 6035.55) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates to controlling the thrust of reaction engines; more specifically it relates to a jetevator for deflecting the exhaust of a rocket motor.

Current jetevators of the socket type in which the jetevator is shaped spherically internally and fits over a portion of a discharge nozzle which is ball-shaped externally so as to form a modified ball and socket joint are sometimes subject to binding. When the jetevator is extended into the exhaust, hot gases rush into the space between the jetevator and the nozzle, heating the parts asymetrically which causes an increase in the force necessary to turn the jetevator and sometimes causes binding of the jetevator in the extended position. Further, some of the more energetic propellants currently in use contain solid residues in the exhaust and the accumulation of sufiicient material on the extended jetevator lip causes binding in the extended position.

Efforts to overcome such binding resulted in the practice of providing considerable clearance between the interior surface of the jetevator and the external surface of the nozzle and placing a gas sealing ring between the moving parts of the joint. Such clearances would result in gas leakage between the parts when the jevevator lip is extended, except for the sealing ring. The seal stops leakage but must of necessity be located below the journals on which the jetevator rotates, leaving much surface area in the joint subject to the same problems as aforestated.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new. and improved leakproof socket type jetevator.

Another object is to provide a jetevator of the said type which is leakproof which is not subject to binding. 1 Still another object is to provide a jetevator of the said type for use with high energy propellants which will eliminate the buildup of solid residues on the jetevator lip.

A further object is to provide a jetevator of the said type whichprevents the flow of exhaust gases into the joint. 7

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, partly in section andpartly broken away, of a discharge nozzle with the instant jetevator attached and in the neutral position;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the nozzle of FIGURE 1 with the jetevator in an extended position; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the nozzle and jetevator taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a converging-diverging discharge nozzle 11, being annular and adapted at the converging end for attachment to the combustion chamber of a rocket. A portion of nozzle 11 nearest the discharge end is shaped cylindrically externally and is preceded by a portion which is shaped externally convex like a section of a sphere, the sphere being of a larger diameter than the cylinder such that a shoulder is formed, said shoulder having two diametrically disposed raised portions in which are located diametrically disposed cylindrical wells whose axes are mutually aligned and substantially normal to the axis of the said cylindrical portion of the nozzle.

Positioned against the said shoulder are thin semi-annular members 12 which act as insulation for semi-annular corrugated springs 13 which are positioned against members 12; thin semi-annular members 14 are positioned against the opposite side of springs 13 and also act as insulators. The ends of semi-annular members 12, 13, and 14 abut the said diametrically disposed raised portions of the shoulder of nozzle 11.

Semi-annular sealing members 15 are shaped cylindrically internally and fit about the cylindrical portion of the nozzle, their sides being notched so as to dovetail but not quite contacting so that a slight amount of lateral movement of the members is possible. One end of each of both members 15 further abuts the insulating members l4 and the ends are indented to fit over the raised portions of the shoulder of the nozzle. Members 15 are shaped externally convex like a section of a sphere when brought together.

Jetevator 16 is annular and has a concave inner contour like a section of a sphere and closely fits the spherical surface formed by members 15, the two members being displaced as necessary by the jetevator which fits over them. Jetevator 16 further has two diametrically disposed apertures which are aligned with the two aforementioned wells in nozzle 11 and journals 17 pass through the apertures and are seated in the wells to secure the jetevator to the nozzle and allow limited rotational movement thereof. Ear 21 is attached to the jetevator and rod 22 is attached to ear 21 and is also attached to control means, not shown, for actuating the jetevator. There is shown in FIGURE 2, the nozzle 11 with semiannular members 15 mounted thereon; springs 13 are sandwiched between insulating members 12 and 14 which in turn are positioned between nozzle 11 and members 15. Jetevator 16 is secured to nozzle 11 by journals 17 and has been pulled into an extended position by a force acting on rod 22 which is attached to ear 21 which is attached to the jetevator.

There is shown in FIGURE 3 the nozzle 11 having the shoulder against which semi-annular spring 13 and insulators rest. The shoulder also has two diametrically opposed raised portions which the ends of springs 13 abut. The raised portions each contain a well in which journals 17 are positioned to hold the jetevator 16 in place.

The springs 13 need not be semi-annular nor corrugated as many arrangements which would serve the purpose of forcing sealing members 15 against the jetevator 16 are operable. Corrugated springs are preferred however because of their relatively fiat configuration.

There is no requirement that semi-annular sealing members 15 have notched ends; nor is there any requirement that the sealing member be split, but is preferred.

It is important however that the sealing member be split if at all in the area of the journals and not elsewhere, because there is little or no overpressure in this area to cause gas leakage.

Sealing members 15 are made of mica, asbestos, plastics, carbon, graphite or other material which has low friction properties in connection with a heated nozzle and jetevator.

In assembling the apparatus, members 12 are laid against the said shoulder, the springs 13 laid against members 12, and members 14 then laid on top of the springs. Then the ends of semi-annular members 15 are placed against members 14 so as to fit about the cylindrical portion of the nozzle. Then jetevator 16 is forced over members 15 and the apertures in the jetevator are aligned and journals 17 pushed into place.

Thus when assembled, members 15 are forced against the inner surface of jetevator by the action of springs 13. Thus all dead space into which hot gas and deposits can flow is eliminated. When the jetevator lip is extended into the exhaust stream and deposits accumlate thereon, a scraping action is provided by the spring loaded members 15 when the jetevator is returned to the neutral position. Further, the members 15 can retract slightly against the springs to accommodate slight build-ups of deposits on the jetevator lips. The journals are also protected from the hot gases and the deposits by sealing members 15.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A discharge deflecting nozzle for use in rocket motors which comprises an annular converging-diverging nozzle piece having one end adapted to be attached to a rocket motor, having a portion near its opposite discharge end shaped externally convex like at least a section of a sphere, and having a fiat end surface thereon, having an externally cylindrical portion, centrally positioned with respect to, smaller in diameter than, and extending from said end surface of said spherical section to said discharge end of the nozzle piece whereby a shoulder is formed; two substantially semi-annular scraping members which fit about the cylindrical portion and which are each shaped externally convex like a semi-section of a sphere and of such a curvature as to be slightly larger than but forming substantially a continuation of the spherical portion of the nozzle piece when oppositely disposed; springs positioned between the said shoulder and each of said annular scraping members to urge said members towards said discharge end; an annular jetevator having at least a portion which is shaped internally concave like a section of a sphere corresponding to the curvature of the annular scraping members when oppositely disposed and fitting thereover so as to form a modified ball and socket therewith; means for movably attaching the jetevator to the nozzle piece; and control means connected to the jetevator for actuating it.

2. The nozzle of claim 1 in which the means to attach the jetevator to the nozzle piece includes a pair of sockets formed in said nozzle piece and diametrically disposed journals mounted on said jetevator and rotatably received in said sockets.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said substantially semi-annular members have mating surfaces which are notched so as to dovetail, but with a substantial gap left therebetween so that a limited amount of lateral movement of said members is possible.

4. The device of claim 1 in which each of the springs is a substantially semi-annular corrugated spring, each with thin annular insulating members on either side thereof.

5. The nozzle of claim 1 containing the further limitation that the said shoulder of the nozzle piece has raised portions at diametrically disposed positions, said raised portions containing diametrically disposed and mutually aligned sockets; in which the means for movably attach ing the jetevator to the nozzle piece are journals imbedded in said sockets; in which at least one of said scraping members is indented to clear said raised portions; in which each of said springs is of substantially semi-annular corrugated configuration, and insulating means disposed between said shoulder and said springs and between said springs and said scraping members for preventing loss of the spring temper during operation of the nozzle.

6. A nozzle comprising a first portion having a cylindrical external configuration, a second portion joined to said first portion, said second portion having a spherical external configuration, a third portion of a cylindrical external configuration, said third portion being joined to said second portion and having an outside diameter less than the maximum outside diameter of said second portion; to form a shoulder at their jointure, said first, second, and third portions being coaxially formed and with said second portion intermediate said first and third portions, said portions each having an internal coaxial passage therethrough, a first annular member having an inner diameter to slidably fit over said third portion and an external spherical configuration to mate with the configuration of said second portion, said first member extending substantially the entire length of said third portion, a second annular member having an inner spherical configuration for slidably mating with the spherical configuration of said second portion and said first annular member, said second annular member being pivotally mounted on said second portion and movable from an initial position in coaxial relation and said passage to a moved position angularly disposed with respect to the axis of said passage, whereby any gases discharged through said passage are deflected in accordance with the degree of such movement from said initial position, means attached to said second annular member for pivotally moving the same selectively from said initial position to said moved position, and spring means mounted between said shoulder and said first annular member for urging the first annular member into engagement with said second annular member.

7. A nozzle according to claim 6 in which said first annular member is composed of a low friction high melting point material to provide an effective gas seal between said first and second annular members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,919,546 1/60 David 60-35.55 2,175,550 10/60 Neebe 285-267 3,003,312 10/61 Jewell 60-35.55 X

MARK NEWMAN, Primary Examiner.

CHESTER L. JUSTUS, Examiner. 

1. A DISCHARGE DEFLECTING NOZZLE FOR USE IN ROCKET MOTORS WHICH COMPRISES AN ANNULAR CONVERGING-DIVERGING NOZZLE PIECE HAVING ONE END ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO A ROCKET MOTOR, HAVING A PORTION NEAR ITS OPPOSITE DISCHARGE END SHAPED EXTERNALLY CONVEX LIKE AT LEAST A SECTION OF A SPHERE, AND HAVING A FLAT END SURFACE THEREON, HAVING AN EXTERNALLY CYLINDRICAL PORTION, CENTRALLY POSITIONED WITH RESPECT TO, SMALLER IN DIAMETER THAN, AND EXTENDING FROM SAID END SURFACE OF SAID SPHERICAL SECTION TO SAID DISCHARGE END OF THE NOZZLE PIECE WHEREBY A SHOULDER IS FORMED; TWO SUBSTANTIALLY SEMI-ANNULAR SCRAPING MEMBERS WHICH FIT ABOUT THE CYLINDRICAL PORTION AND WHICH ARE EACH SHAPED EXTERNALLY CONVEX LIKE A SEMI-SECTION OF A SPHERE AND OF SUCH A CURVATURE AS TO BE SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN BUT FORMING SUBSTANTIALLY A CONTINUATION OF THE SPHERICAL PORTION OF THE NOZZLE PIECE WHEN OPPOSITELY DISPOSED; SPRINGS POSITIONED BETWEEN THE SAID SHOULDER AND EACH OF SAID ANNULAR SCRAPING MEMBERS TO URGE SAID MEMBERS TOWARDS SAID DISCHARGE END; AN ANNULAR JETEVATOR HAVING AT LEAST A PORTION WHICH IS SHAPED INTERNALLY CONCAVE LIKE A SECTION OF A SPHERE CORRESPONDING TO THE CURVATURE OF THE ANNULAR SCRAPING MEMBERS WHEN OPPOSITELY DISPOSED AND FITTING THEREOVER SO AS TO FORM A MODIFIED BALL AND SOCKET THEREWITH; MEANS FOR MOVABLY ATTACHING THE JETEVATOR TO THE NOZZLE PIECE; AND CONTROL MEANS CONNECTDD TO THE JETEVATOR FOR ACTUATING IT. 